2.0Analysis 2.1 Introduction It is well known and documented throughout the fishing industry that herring in bulk must be carefully stowed aboard a vessel in order to prevent it shifting and initiating stability problems. 2.2 Effect of the Topography on the Sea State Although waves of under one metre were predicted, the high ground surrounding the NortheastArm funnelled the wind and made worsening sea conditions very likely. The effect of the steep-to beach in the area of the occurrence would also cause sudden steep and confused seas. In view of the increasing wind and the choppy sea experienced in the Northeast Arm, the owner/operator decided to load less herring for the second trip to the fish plant. As had been anticipated, the sea state worsened, and during the return trip, the wind was blowing up the Northeast Arm. Because there was some lee offered on the western side of the Arm, the boat was headed gradually toward that side. 2.3 Hull and Freeboard Characteristics Because the boat was less heavily laden at the start of the second return trip, the effective static freeboard to the gunwale was some 3inches (75mm) greater. However, because all small open boats are inherently vulnerable to swamping in rough sea conditions, constant attention must be given to wave height and direction relative to the vessel's course and speed. While the built-in reserve buoyancy was effective in ensuring that the vessel remained afloat after the swamping, examination of the hull shows that the outboard motor cut-out in the transom and the inboard face of the motor well were some 9inches (228mm) below normal gunwale level. In this instance, the principal quantity of water was reportedly shipped over the intact gunwale; however, the depth of the motor cut-out in the transom and the height of the inboard face of the motor well indicate that boats from the same or similar moulds are vulnerable to swamping by the stern. 2.4 Swamping and Capsizing As the boat was nearing the steeply shelving shoreline of the western side of the Northeast Arm, the bow buried in the trough of a wave which caused the boat to slow down suddenly. Because of this, the boat was overcome by the seas which flowed over the gunwale, partially filling the hull. Simultaneously, the herring shifted forward and further buried the bow. Subsequent waves completely swamped the hull and caused the boat to capsize. 2.5 Crew Survival Aspects Because the surface of the upturned fibreglass hull was very smooth, it offered little in the way of handholds for persons in the water. Due to the lack of bilge keels or grab rails along the turn of the bilge and because of the weight of the outboard motors, one or more persons, whether or not they were accomplished swimmers or wearing PFDs, would find it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to right a capsized boat of thissize. Appendix C illustrates that a person wearing a standard lifejacket and light clothing in water of 2C to 3C could expect to survive a little over an hour before succumbing to hypothermia. In this case, one of the survivors was in the water for about two hours before he was rescued. It would seem that his clothing slowed the loss of body heat enough to ensure his survival. 3.0 Conclusions 3.1 Findings The open boat was swamped by a wind-induced wave which caused the cargo of herring to shift forward. Subsequent waves filled the boat which then capsized. Some of the crew members were washed overboard by the waves, others abandoned the boat which was capsizing. All members of the crew were wearing lifejackets or personal flotation devices (PFDs). The vessel was not fitted with either a radio or an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB).No Search and Rescue (SAR) operation was initiated until a survivor reached the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) detachment at Harbour Breton, overland. The vessel was not fitted with either bilge keels or grab rails at the turn of the bilge. The smooth surface of the capsized boat offered little in the way of handholds for persons in the water. The wearing of heavy clothing/floater suits increased the survivors' ability to withstand the effects of the frigid water. 3.2 Causes The open boat capsized after being swamped by a wave which partially filled the boat and caused the cargo of herring to shift. The Board has no marine safety recommendations to issue at this time.4.0 Safety Action The Board has no marine safety recommendations to issue at this time.